2014
Final Project Report
For Florida Department of Environmental
Protection Water Quality Restoration
Program TMDL Grant
April 2, 2014
CELERY FIELDS REGIONAL STORMWATER
FACILITY PHASE 3 EXPANSION
Celery Fields Regional Stormwater Facility Phase 3 Expansion Final Project Report – April 2014
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Final Project Report
For
Celery Fields Regional Stormwater Facility
Phase 3 Expansion
April 2, 2014
Prepared for Florida Department of Environmental Protection
by Stanley Consultants, Inc.,
in conjunction with Vanasse, Hagen, & Brustlin, Inc. and Sarasota County Public Works
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Executive Summary / Abstract
The Celery Fields Regional Stormwater Facility Phase 3 Expansion is a multi-faceted stormwater project;
it incorporates flood protection, water quality improvements, restored wetland habitat and integrates
public recreation and educational opportunities at one facility. This project’s primary objective was to
alleviate flooding to the downstream urban area in the Phillippi Creek drainage basin. The second
objective was to improve water quality by restoring the function of the original natural wetlands of this
area. A third benefit included passive recreational opportunities of bird watching, walking/exercising,
mountain biking, and sightseeing offered by the diverse terrain, plants, wildlife/birds and trails of this
multi-faceted ecosystem. The stormwater facility treats over 3,524 acres or 10% of the upper north
Phillippi Creek 55-square mile drainage basin area. The total project included four (4) wet detention
cells comprising 360 acres to create floodplain storage and treat stormwater runoff. Phase 3 of the
project, which included the final two cell areas, required two years of construction that began in July
2009 and was completed in the spring of 2011. The South Cell pond, a 120 acre wetland mitigation area
was constructed for enhanced water quality treatment and floodplain storage. The adjacent Walker
Tract cell, a 30-acre wetland re-creation area, provided the final cleansing of the stormwater before it is
discharged into Phillippi Creek and Roberts Bay North. Part of the project scope also included pesticide
and arsenic soil cleanup, removal and monitoring. These contaminants were the result of past row-crop
farming activities. Project funding initially included a $10,079,880 Florida Department of Environmental
Protection (FDEP) Water Quality Restoration Program TMDL grant and $1.8M SWFWMD cooperative
grant with the balance of the funds from the established Capital Improvement Project for Phillippi Creek
basin. The FDEP TMDL grant was later reduced to $6,751,687 due to lower than expected construction
bids and the final amount charged to the grant was $5.39M. The total project costs for design,
permitting, geotechnical, construction, inspection and monitoring were $10.8M. A Best Management
Practices (BMP) Evaluation water quality study was completed April 2012 and the final monitoring
report was completed in December 2013. One of the successes and outcomes from the study is that the
pollutant load removal results were significantly better than expected for this wet detention facility.
Pollutant load removal efficiencies were as much as 53% for Nitrogen, 50% for Phosphorus and 82% for
Total Suspended Solids. The observed results for annual pollutant load reduction to the receiving waters
of Roberts Bay North were 15,198 lb/yr for Total Nitrogen (TN), 2,040 lb/yr for Total Phosphorous (TP)
and 528,467 lb/yr for Total Suspended Solids.
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Project History
Sarasota County acquired over 444 acres
of land for what is now known as the
Celery Fields Regional Stormwater Facility
(CFRSF), to provide stormwater-runoff
detention, flood protection, and a diverse
environmental filtration system that
delivers cleaner water to Phillippi Creek
and ultimately to Sarasota Bay and
Roberts Bay North. The land purchases,
design, and construction for the CFRSF
started in the mid-1990s after major
flooding occurred in the downstream
urban areas of Phillippi Creek from the
“no-name storm” of June 1992. Phases 1
& 2 of the CFRSF project were completed in 1997 and included construction of numerous control
structures and large sedimentation ponds on roughly 300 acres in the North and Central Cell areas.
Other minor North and Central Cell changes, associated with roadway improvements, were conducted
between 2000 and 2005. Between 2009 and 2011, Phase 3 of the CFRSF was built south of Palmer
Boulevard on two properties referred to as the South Cell and Walker Tract. As part of the original land
purchase, four (4) additional parcels of land, approximately 10 acres each were part of the acquisition.
This land, referred to as the as the Quad sites, was a part of the area used for Phase 3. From past Phase
2 excavation activities, two (2) of these parcels had an overburden of unsuitable fill stockpiles, that had
to be removed as part of the Environmental Resource Permitting (ERP) surface water permitting. The
excess fill was removed and used to create portions of the observation mound. Also, before the actual
stormwater facility Phase 3 began, certain land areas within the project limits were tested and found to
have above normal levels of arsenic and pesticide soils. Approximately 1,590 tons of this non-hazardous
soil was removed and hauled by Waste Management Services to the Okeechobee Landfill. Design,
modeling and permitting began in December 2003; permitting was complete in December 2004 and
modified in 2008 with final design bidding completed in March 2009. Construction began on July 6,
2009, and Final Acceptance was granted on August 1, 2011. The Best Management Practice (BMP)
Evaluation Water Quality Monitoring Study began on April 1, 2011
Site Location
The CFRSF is located in Sarasota County (Sections 19, 20, 29, and 30 of Township 36 South, Range 19
East), south of Fruitville Road, and east of Interstate 75. The CFRSF is framed by a series of canals with
Main Canal C on the west and Lateral Canal CA to the south. On the east side, the CFRSF is bordered by
the Bypass Canal on the north end, the Center Road drainage ditch in the central part, and the Raymond
Road drainage ditch on the south end of this stormwater facility. As shown in FIGURE 1 – Site Map.
Celery Fields aerial view looking north 2011
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Township 36 SouthRange 19 East
Not to scale
Celery Fields Regional Stormwater Facility Phase 3 Expansion
FIGURE 1 – Project Site Map
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The Celery Fields Regional Stormwater Facility
(CFRSF) once represented one of the largest isolated
sawgrass wetlands marshes in Sarasota County. The
Celery Fields area was used extensively to grow
agricultural row crops, such as celery for most of the
20th century. Prior to the sawgrass era, the lands
were once an old lake used by Pleistocene Epoch
animals such as mammoths and mastodons. During
the early construction phases many well preserved
prehistoric megalodon fossils were found.
Goals and Objectives
The Celery Fields Regional Stormwater Facility was initially conceived to achieve flood protection goals
and evolved into a multi-faceted stormwater park. The primary benefits included:
Enhanced Flood Storage and Protection. - The project was designed to increase the flood plain
storage and reduce historical flooding in the downstream Phillippi Creek.
Pollutant Load Reduction – The 360 acre facility treats stormwater runoff from 3,524 acres of
the upper drainage sub-basin of Phillippi Creek Basin.
Restored natural wetland areas – Restored treatment functions of 150 acres of wetland
mitigation area and natural habitat with bird boxes, snags and an osprey platform.
Provided diverse recreational and educational opportunities – Created walking trails for bird
watching, diverse terrain for sightseeing, exercising and mountain biking with educational
signage along the trails.
Construction Improvements
With the construction improvements in place, the
Celery Fields facility provides a diverse wildlife habitat
that offers local, regional, and international birders with
opportunities to view rare and interesting bird life. A
network of trails, two wetland boardwalks, a gazebo,
and a unique observation mound that is one of the
highest elevations in Sarasota County were constructed
as recreational amenities. The Celery Fields facility
provides numerous recreational opportunities for
birding, walking, hiking, running, biking, fishing,
environmental education, fitness, and other special
events.
Loading Bell Brother's truck with celery 1940's
Trail grading South Cell
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The CFRSF Phase 3 design, permitting and bidding documents were prepared by Kimley-Horne &
Associates, Inc., for the following construction improvements:
Providing over 1,000 acre-feet of floodplain
storage volume to reduce flood stages
Adding three (3) major water control
structures; a 16’ channel weir, double 8-foot
wide flood control gates and a 50’ wide
overflow weir structure
150 acres of new wetland and upland
mitigation plantings in the Walker Tract and
South Cell
Culvert replacement and upsizing from 30”
to 60” pipe at S. Leewynn Drive
More than 1,000 feet of channel widening and
excavation along Lateral CA canal to improve flow and increase hydraulic flow capacity
Excavation, stockpiling, and grading over 1.1 million cubic yards of soil and earthwork
Creation of an 85-foot high observation mound with recycled crushed concrete walking paths
and moderately sloped 4:1 bike trails
(10,000 LF) of perimeter double rail Mortise wood fencing
Seven (7) miles of passive walking trails looped around the stormwater facility
Landscaping and irrigation enhancements with trees and ground cover throughout the project
Expanded public parking area near the existing look out Gazebo with drainage improvements,
onsite dry retention pond with gravel filtration system
Two (2) elevated observation boardwalks for nature and bird viewing
Thirteen (13) educational interpretive signs arranged throughout project site and two (2) project
Kiosk’s
Wood duck boxes (7), an Osprey platform, and tree snags (10)
Accommodations for the future Audubon Society interpretive nature center
Enhanced Flood Storage and Protection
The Celery Fields Regional Stormwater Facility
was designed to improve the County’s level of
service to reduce street and structure flooding
including removal of 12 homes out of the 100-
year floodplain limits downstream along
Phillippi Creek.
Flood Gate between South Cell and Walker Tract
Excavation Operations South Cell
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FIGURE 2
PHILLIPPI CREEK BASIN
Operation and how the treatment facility works: (Also refer to FIGURES 1 and 3)
1. Stormwater from the upper sub-basin of Phillippi Creek enters into the north sedimentation pond to settle out solids and sediments. (S-6)
2. Under normal operations, water levels are manipulated with control stops logs to permit flow through the vegetative treatment system. (S-13)
3. Prior to heavy rains, flood control gates are operated to drain the system increasing storage volume within the facility. The large storage ponds detain and slowly release water to avoid overloading the downstream canals. (S-10 and S-14)
4. Post storm event, a double flood control gate was installed to isolate the south and north cells to provide more opportunity to manage and retain flood waters. (S-15)
Pollutant Load Reduction
Through a Water Quality
Restoration Program TMDL grant
from Florida’s Department of
Environmental Protection the
role of the Celery Fields was
expanded beyond flood
protection to provide water
quality improvements through
pollutant load reductions. The
goal was to reduce the pollutant
load to Phillippi Creek and
subsequently Roberts Bay North
from 3,524 acres of the
contributing drainage basin. Part
of the grant deliverables
included the implementation of a
Water Quality Monitoring
Program. Vanasse Hangen
Brustlin, Inc. (VHB) prepared the
Quality Assurance Project Plan
(QAPP) that would determine the
effectiveness of the facility at
removing pollutants and
nutrients from the upstream
Phillippi Creek watershed. The
monitoring included stormwater
inflow and outflow of the North Project Treatment Area within Phillippi Creek Basin
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Cell, Central Cell, South Cell, and Walker Tract, as shown in FIGURE 2. The monitoring program included
baseflow and storm flow monitoring during the period from April 1, 2011 through March 31, 2013.
Seven (7) stations were set and maintained in a telemetry data collection network throughout the
facility. Refer to FIGURE 3. The study monitored and analyzed rainfall events, record water stage and
discharge, and water samples on a continual basis over a 24-month period to evaluate system
performance.
The pre-project estimated pollutant load removal efficiency for nitrogen, phosphorus and suspended
solids was at the rates of 5%, 24% and 21% respectively. The final results from the two year monitoring
study indicated greater efficiencies were achieved with actual removal rates of 53%, 50% and 82% for
nitrogen, phosphorus and suspended solids respectively. The pollutant load reductions far exceeded the
goals for the grant. (Results shown in Table 1.)
TABLE 1
POLLUTANT LOAD REMOVAL OBSERVED RESULTS Parameter Annual Mean Removal
lbs/yr Annual Mean Removal
Efficiency (percent)
Total Phosphorus (TP) 2,040 50%
Total Nitrogen (TN) 15,198 53%
Total Suspended Solids (TSS) 528,467 82% Source: Celery Fields Regional Stormwater Facility Best Management Practice (BMP) Evaluation Project, VHB dated 12/2013
The observed results for annual pollutant load reduction to the receiving waters of Roberts Bay North
were 2,040 lb/yr for Total Phosphorous (TP), 15,198 lb/yr for Total Nitrogen (TN), and 528,467 lb/yr for
Total Suspended Solids.
A time-of-travel study was completed as part of the monitoring effort. This study measured the
residence time of the water traveling through the cells under average conditions. The residence time
ranged from 50 to 84 days from inflow to outflow through the four retention cells.
During the water quality monitoring period, a Bird Study
Count was conducted to establish whether any trace or
increases of nitrogen loading were attributable to their
presence. It was concluded that the birds had no net effect
on loading results at this facility.
The Best Management Practices Evaluation water quality
study will assist with making practical management decisions
that target improvements in future nutrient load reductions
for the CFRSF and potentially for other regional stormwater
facilities.
Staff gauge monitoring equipment
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Restore natural wetland areas
The CFRSF Phase 3 construction for the South Cell and Walker Tracts created approximately 150 acres of
upland, wetland, and open-water habitat with 80% of the surface area planted with 600,000 aquatic
plants and trees. The slopes surrounding much of the newly reconstructed facility are lush with native
aquatic plantings such as bulrush, pickerelweed, alligator flag, buttonbush and maidencane. Upland
areas include sand cord grass, cabbage palm, slash pine, live oak, pignut hickory, Walter viburnum and
wax myrtle bushes to further pre-treat stormwater flowing into the site from direct runoff.
Water quality was improved by filter stormwater through wetland mitigation plants systems
The South Cell and Walker Tract were separated into different planting zones based on the range of
water depths that would be experienced when the Celery Fields Mitigation Site water level is at the
control elevation. Initially, the South Cell received a total of approximately 500,000 plants comprised of
24 different wetland and upland species distributed over 37 planting subzones within the 120 acre area.
South Cell Mitigation Plantings
The Walker Tract received a total of 100,000 plants of 22 wetland and upland species planted in 16
planting subzone areas within its 30 acre area. Regular, quarterly maintenance for exotic nuisance
species was conducted for the mitigation project. Significant sedimentation and nutrient uptake has
occurred in the facility as a result of the extensive plantings, and the slow winding path the stormwater
must take through the system to its final discharge point. Also refer to FIGURE 3.
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FIGURE 3
Flow through Celery Fields Four Wet Detention Cells
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Final Outfall from Walker Tract into Lateral Canal CA
With the major stormwater improvements
complete, Sarasota County has begun to realize
the significant benefits of the project. There has
been an overwhelming public utilization of the
site that a Parks and Recreation restroom facility
and new parking lot are now under construction.
A future Audubon Visitor and Nature Center is
planned.
Landscape Improvements
Audubon Visitor and Nature Center planned
Observation Mound Trail Landscape
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Wood Duck Box
Provide diverse recreational / educational opportunities
The project’s outcome was a successful
stormwater park that promotes ecotourism.
The site has been added to the Great Florida
Birding Trail as a destination point where over
200 species of birds have been identified.
Seven miles of diverse trails allow for
walking/jogging, biking and wildlife
observation. Educational aspects include the
installation of interpretative signage to aid
visitors in understanding how the Celery Fields
was designed to address stormwater runoff
and treatment, and provide natural habitats.
Wetland functions are shown through cross-
sectional diagrams and downstream effects
are also illustrated. There is much local
interest in the site with as many as 30 schools
expressing that they want naturalist led field
trips for their students.
Educational Interpretive Guide Signs
Educational Wildlife Sign
South Boardwalk
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Timeline and Project Schedule
The project timeline for the CFRSF Phase 3 amassed over a ten (10) year time period in multi-phased
stages of design, permitting, procurement, construction and monitoring efforts.
Completed Project Milestones________________ Date _
Initiate Design and Stormwater Modeling December 2003/04
SWFWMD Cooperative Grant (L210) February 2005
Pesticide and Arsenic Soil Removals November 2006
FDEP TMDL Grant Award S0317 January 2007
SWFWMD Coop Grant Amendment No. 1 September 2007
Complete Design and Bidding May 2009
Award and Begin Construction (2-yrs) July 2009
Substantially Complete Construction (2-yrs) March 2011
FDEP TMDL Grant Amendment No. 1 January 2012
Boardwalks North and South November 2012
Project Final Completion September 2013
Water Quality Monitoring (2-yrs) April 2013
Water Quality Data Analysis June 2013
Final Water Quality Monitoring Report December 2013
FDEP TMDL Grant Agreement Expires September 23, 2013
Groundwater monitoring (1.5-yrs) January 2014
Final Project Report March 2014
Institutional Controls - Deed Restriction September 2014
Budget and Funding
This project was funded through cooperative funding agreements between Sarasota County and the
Southwest Florida Water Management District as well as the Florida Department of Environmental
Protection. The District’s $1.8M contribution covered flood protection, natural systems and educational
activities while FDEP’s TMDL grant contribution covered water quality improvements. The balance of
matching funds were provided through stormwater basin assessments collected by the County’s
Stormwater Environmental Utility for the Phillippi Creek Basin and through appropriations by the Board
of County Commissioners as part of the Capital Improvement Program.
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Project Costs
Project costs were accumulated over a period of ten years, from initial geotechnical soils investigation,
through design, permitting, construction, construction contract inspection and administration, and the
final two year water quality monitoring project instituted to evaluate the project and provide concrete
evidence of results. The actual contractual services cost for the Celery Fields Stormwater Regional
Management Project is illustrated in Table 2.
TABLE 2 Total Cost of Celery Fields Stormwater Regional Management Project
Geotechnical Investigation & Soil Removal $ 436,340
Survey, Design and Permitting $ 916, 231
Mitigation Permitting, Monitoring, and Maintenance $ 171,811
Construction Improvements $6,839,649
Construction Engineering & Inspection CEI) $ 861,959
Boardwalks (North and South) $ 601,868
Educational Interpretive Signage $ 24,550
Landscaping Walker & Mound $ 398,084
Water Quality Monitoring and Lab $ 573,069
TOTAL $10,833,286
The multiple benefits of this passive stormwater treatment system will continue to serve the residents
of Sarasota County and visitors for many years to come.
Control Flood Gate (S-15)
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Personnel and Project Team:
The key project team and stakeholders consisted of:
Sarasota County Public Works Capital Projects - Peter Peduzzi, Billie Havey, and Anthony Bell
Sarasota County Public Utilities, Water Quality - Jon Perry and John Ryan
Sarasota County Public Works Construction - Mike Elfers, Robbin Levar and Paul Semenec
Sarasota County Operations & Maintenance - Jason Brown, Tom Medal, and Lisa Wedin
Sarasota County Field Services – Spencer Anderson
Sarasota County Parks and Recreation – Lynda Heath and Jerris Foote
FDEP Nonpoint Source Management Section – Michael Scheinkman and Eric Livingston
SWFWMD Resource Projects Department – Manny Lopez
Kimley Horn & Associates, Inc. – Mike Sturm, Senior Design Engineer (Engineer of record)
Stanley Consultants, Inc. – Dave Dixon, Construction Engineering and Inspection (CEI)
VHB, Inc. – Gary Serviss and Ronnie Van Fleet, Environmental Mitigation Permitting
Ardaman & Associates, Inc. – Chip Hoover, Geotechnical Investigation
Waste Management Services, Inc. – Soil cleanup and disposal
Brooks & Freund, Inc. – General Contractor
Lee Mar Construction, Inc. – Subcontractor excavation & grading
Earth Balance, Inc. – Subcontractor wetland plants
Atkins Global, Inc. – Chris Sharek, Boardwalk Design
Marine Contracting Group, Inc. – Boardwalks
Interpretive Graphics, Inc. – Educational signs
DWJA Architects, Inc. – Landscape Architect
Valley Crest, Inc. – Site landscaping
Sarasota Audubon Society – Design collaboration (Jeanne Dubi)
Summary
Based on the project record as-builts and
certification of completion, this project was
constructed in substantial conformance with the
design plans, including design revisions, and the
Celery Fields Stormwater Improvements Facility
Phase 3 functions as intended, with results in
nutrient and pollutant reduction far greater than
predicted. The goals of prevention of downstream
flooding, floodplain storage, improvement in water
quality, restoration of wetland habitat, and the
addition of new passive recreational opportunities now comprise the multi-faceted uses of the Celery
Fields Stormwater Improvements project. Currently, hundreds of people utilize the Celery Fields on a
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daily basis for exercise, walking, environmental tours, and bird watching. One only has to visit the site
and walk the path to the top of the Observation Mound to witness the scope and impact of the project
from this excellent vantage point.
Project Awards and Recognitions
Environmental Excellence Award from the National Association of Environmental Professionals
(NAEP) in the category of Conservation, by Stanley Consultants, Inc. – Feb. 2013
FICE Engineering Excellence Honors Award in the category of Water Resources, by Kimley-Horne
& Associates, Inc. – January 2014
Outstanding Achievement Award – Florida Stormwater Association (FSA) by Sarasota County
Public Works / Public Utilities, June 2014
Numerous local newspaper, TV media and magazine listings have been published.
Celery Fields from Observation Mound, 2011
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